Reopening of Pacific Coast Highway 1 is a California dream drive

A caravan of more than 80 cars – classic to contemporary – celebrate the reopening of a bucketlist coastal highway road trip

A classic Benz crosses the Bixby Creek Bridge, which was built in 1932 and is one of the most famous bridges in North America.Visit California

MORRO BAY, California — It’s one of the most iconic road trips in the world, but for 18 months the Pacific Coast Highway 1 between Monterey and Morro Bay was impassable. First one of the original bridges of the 33 on the route needed outright replacing, then a massive landslide in May last year took out almost a half a kilometre stretch at the aptly named Mud Creek section.

In a Herculean effort recalling the original construction of the highway in the 1920s and ’30s, the landslide was cleared, the highway repaved and the all-clear sign given.

“Driving Highway 1 is a bucket-list experience many travellers dream about, and its closure made headlines around the world,” said Visit California President & CEO Caroline Beteta. “Many communities along this stretch have suffered while the road has been closed.”

This being California, a simple press release about the road reopening, accompanied with a grip-and-grin photo of a ceremonial ribbon cutting wouldn’t do. Instead, Visit California invited journalists from around the world and assembled 80 vehicles—each representing a different model year from 1938 to 2018—for a day-long drive last Thursday from the fabled Laguna Seca racetrack outside Monterey to the iconic Morro Rock at Morro Bay. Complete with police motorcycle escort and camera-equipped drones and helicopters.

Said Betata: “We’re proud to announce to the world today that Highway 1 is open and better than ever, and the Central Coast is ready to welcome travellers looking for the ultimate California road trip.”

Here are some images capturing the spirit of the drive, the essence of the highway and the unbridled passion of California’s car culture:

The Dream Drive from Monterey to Morro Bay celebrated the re-opening of the Pacific Coast Highway 1 following 18 months of closure due to a massive landslide at Mud Creek. Above is the .4-kilometre stretch of new highway at the landslide area.

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New York journalist Tiana Attride couldn't resist taking an early morning selfie with the bright yellow Prowler at Laguna Seca.

Andrew McCredie

Quite the early morning scene at the Laguna Seca staging area.

Andrew McCredie

Cars ranged from classics from the Thirties and Forties to...

Andrew McCredie

Hydrogen-powered vehicles from the 21st Century.

Andrew McCredie

It just wouldn't be right without a number of classic 'Vettes in the queue.

Andrew McCredie

A timeless 1940 Mercury Town Sedan.

Andrew McCredie

Two very different convertibles found common ground on the drive.

Andrew McCredie

A dynamite toy to be sure.

Andrew McCredie

A very rare, and very pristine, 1973 BMW 3.0 csi.

Andrew McCredie

Car owners really got into the spirit of the Dream Drive.

Andrew McCredie

Even a French manufacturer was represented with this 1987 Citroen 2 CV.

Andrew McCredie

Certainly not the first time a couple of BMWs have followed a Ferrari down Laguna's Seca's famed Corkscrew, but no doubt the first time with a Woody wagon in the lead.

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A 2018 BMW 740Li, piloted by Driving's Andrew McCredie, leads the pack out off the Laguna Seca track and onto the drive.

Andrew McCredie

The convoy passes one of a number of scenic lighthouses on the route.

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A colourful scene at the Ventana Big Sur Resort parking lot.

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Two iconic badges.

Andrew McCredie

This helicopter view of the Dream Drive in action gives you an idea of how ambitious, if not flat-out audacious, it was to build this coastal highway some 80 years ago.

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The Dream Drive takes its final breather at Hearst Ranch in San Simeon.

Andrew McCredie

The crew did an amazing job of keeping the cars (and drivers) in line - quite literally.

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Journalists from all over the world covered the Dream Drive.

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Every time the Dream Drive caravan stopped for a rest it created a fantastic car show.

Andrew McCredie

Somewhere Carroll Shelby is smiling...

Andrew McCredie

A classic California car scene at Hearst Ranch.

Andrew McCredie

An aerial view of Hearst Ranch.

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Another birds-eye view of the ranch.

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Decisions, decisions...

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An eclectic mix of vehicles cool their engines at Hearst Ranch at San Simeon, the final pit stop before the Dream Drive finish line at Morro Bay.

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Big U.S. steel at Hearst Ranch.

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A 1972 Ferrari 246 GTS Dino in line as the procession leaves Hearst Ranch in San Simeon.

Andrew McCredie

The caravan arrives at iconic Morro Rock.

Andrew McCredie

Toronto journalist Karen Kwan raises her arms in celebration as the 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster crosses the finish line at Morro Rock.

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The finish-line beach party in the shadow of Morro Rock.

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A fantastic beach party at the finish line.

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Australian Supercars legend Craig Lowndes piloted a 1970 Corvette Stingray on the drive.

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The very same car that Jack Nicholson drove in the movie the Two Jakes sparkles in the late afternoon sunshine at Morro Rock beach.